Accra, April 14, – Ghana has commenced steps to endorse the Political Declaration on Strengthening the Protection of Civilians from the Use of Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas (EWIPA), as part of efforts to reinforce civilian safety and arms regulation.
Mr Ebenezer Okletey Terlabi, Deputy Minister of the Interior, announced the move at the opening of a two-day Africa Regional Workshop on the subject in Accra.
He said Ghana’s commitment to peace, multilateralism and conflict resolution required concrete action, hence the decision to trigger the endorsement process.
“We have therefore initiated steps to ensure Ghana endorses the EWIPA declaration within the shortest possible time,” he stated.
Mr Terlabi explained that although the declaration was not legally binding, it held significant moral and political relevance and aligned with Africa’s broader peace and security agenda.
He pointed to ongoing efforts to review the draft National Arms Bill and the National Control List as further evidence of Ghana’s resolve to strengthen its regulatory framework on civilian protection.
The EWIPA declaration, adopted in Dublin in November 2022, seeks to minimise civilian harm in armed conflicts by discouraging the use of explosive weapons with wide-area effects in populated areas.
It also promotes better data collection, humanitarian access, victim support, and international cooperation.
Currently, 91 countries, including 14 in Africa, have endorsed the declaration, with Nigeria being the most recent.
Mr Terlabi called for a unified African approach in shaping global standards on civilian protection, citing conflicts in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and Myanmar as examples of the devastating humanitarian impact of explosive weapons.
He noted that although Ghana had not experienced such conflicts, past incidents like the Konongo and Abieti explosions highlighted the need for preventive measures.
Mr Jurgen Heissel, Austrian Ambassador to Ghana, described the declaration as a practical framework to reduce civilian harm.
Dr Adam Bona, Executive Secretary of the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons, stressed the need for stronger African leadership in advancing implementation, while Laura Boillot, Director of Article 36, underscored that harm caused by explosive weapons in populated areas was both predictable and preventable.
The workshop, co-hosted by Ghana and Austria in collaboration with Article 36 and the Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA), is examining strategies to improve military practices, enhance civilian protection, and strengthen regional cooperation.
Participants are expected to share experiences and develop approaches to support the effective implementation of the declaration across the continent.
GHBUSS
14 April 2026
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